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The Washington has imposed sanctions on a group of four people and four firms accused of hiring former Colombian soldiers to combat alongside and instruct a Sudanese paramilitary group that Washington accuses of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the measures on this week, the American treasury stated the network was primarily made up of Colombian citizens and firms.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have been recruited to go to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the Sudanese RSF militia, a force accused of severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The participation of ex-soldiers was first uncovered last year, prompted by an investigation which revealed that hundreds of former soldiers had been recruited to participate in the war – an event that resulted in an unusual statement of regret from Colombia’s foreign ministry.

Former Colombian military have historically been seen as some of the most in-demand contractors globally due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, training on advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the Sudanese theater, the contractors have allegedly instructed underage fighters, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and participated in direct battles. One source previously stated that working with child soldiers was "awful and crazy" but noted that "sadly, that is the nature of conflict".

Targeted Persons

Among those penalized was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a dual Colombian-Italian national and former army officer operating from the Dubai. The US authorities alleged he played a key part in hiring and sending former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was also sanctioned.

Also on the sanctions list was Duque Botero, a dual Colombian-Spanish citizen who the Treasury stated managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the official announcement said.

Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the other individual to be sanctioned, with the firm she operated alleged to have wire transfers associated with Duque and his businesses.

"The US once more urges outside forces to halt the flow of financial and military support to the warring parties," the Treasury announced.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, described the actions as a "very significant" step, saying that "identifying the recruiters is the proper strategy".

Furthermore, Colombia ratified a piece of legislation endorsing the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and transform its security approach.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, urged more caution, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing rampant mercenarism".

"It’s an illicit economy and based out of the Emirates, which is relatively sanction-proof," he stated. The Emirati government has been repeatedly implicated of providing arms to the militia, claims it rejects. "This trend will probably continue," McFate warned.